Ilminster Town 3-3 Bridport - pulsating Good Friday game

The Bank Holiday Good Friday crowd of over 300 spectators were treated to a pulsating match between title hopefuls Bridport and Ilminster Town, writes Andrew Fish.

This thrilling game featured six goals, controversy, defensive errors, stunning finishes and opportunities for both teams to secure a win; ultimately, a draw was a fair outcome.

Ilminster lost 5-1 away at Bridport on Boxing Day and certainly showed they were out to better that performance with an early goal; Karl Davis, who kept his place in the team after a good performance on Tuesday night, started the move with a ball into Jack Steer, which he controlled first time before crossing for Jordan Lovibond to tap in from close range.

Will Gape equalised shortly afterwards with a spectacular half-volley finish to make it 1-1.

Bridport top goal scorer Sam Fisher then added his 23rd goal of the season with a brilliant turn and finish to make it 2-1.

Shay Allen made a great save with his feet to keep his side in it, then some great football from Ilminster brought the scores level at 2-2 when Ed Butcher combined with Jack Steer, and Steer found the back of the net.

After the fast-paced first half, both teams calmed down somewhat, but Tom Case ended up in the sin bin for protesting too vigorously.

Bridport capitalised on their numerical advantage and proceeded to control the match, with one opportunity narrowly missing as it struck the side netting.

Ilminster remained competitive, with Ed Butcher skilfully flicking a header past his defender and firing a volley just wide of the goal after a brilliant run through on goal.

Case returned to the action and soon after, a long kick forward from Allen saw the Bridport centre-half head the ball back to his keeper, Jordan Scadding, who had come quickly off his line; the header back struck the post, with Josh Phillips first to the rebound where he accepted the gift to make it 3-2.

Jack Steer then produced a bit of magic to head on, race around his man, waltz past the keeper, only to see the covering defender make a match-winning save with his outstretched leg to block the shot on the line and prevent the goal.

With ten minutes remaining, Bridport equalised once more when Allen slipped during a goal kick. The ball was swiftly recovered, allowing Sol Ayunga to score his 22nd goal of the season from close range, bringing the score to 3-3.

Ilminster had one more great chance to win it as Butcher ran forward and went through on goal to be taken out by a cynical foul just outside the 18-yard box. With the crowd baying for a red card, a yellow was shown, and the Evan Howse free-kick struck the wall as the chance to win it was gone.

With their sponsors all present and the ground taking shape after some hard work by the committee, the local crowd all went away impressed with the new facilities and happy that the long unbeaten run was stretched to nine matches since the turn of the year, as yet no team in the SWP League (East) have done the double over the Blues, which is a great achievement after promotion.

Both teams played with high intensity in this fast-paced match, each striving for victory rather than settling for a draw. Ilminster delivered a strong team performance against their high-flying opponents.

Starman for Ilminster was Neil Martin, who was on top of his game against Bridport's formidable striking duo, responsible for 45 goals between the two of them this season.